THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 
13 
Mankind's Craving for an Alkaloid. — The notable fact 
that all substances wherever found which contain the alkaloid 
*'theine" — it is the characteristic constituent not only of tea, but 
also of coffee, the mate and guarana of South America and the 
kola of Central Africa — are highly prized by the human race, 
would seem to prove that this alkaloid satisfies some common 
craving of all sorts and colors of men. But doctors disagree as to 
what precisely this craving may be and as to how and why it is 
satisfied by the drinking of tea or coffee. — Indian Gardening and 
Planting. 
Uses of the Peanut. — The principal use of the peanut, is 
not, as some may suppose, to furnish sustenance for visitors to the 
country fairs and the circus. Peanut oil commands a high price 
in market, being second only to olive oil in value. It is used in 
making soap, for lighting and as a substitute or adulterant of olive 
oil. Peanut butter is coming into use, and peanut flour is also 
said to be successfully made. The cake left after expressing the 
oil is valued highly as a food for stock and peanut hay is consid- 
ered equal to clover or timothy. The Florida Agriculturist is 
authority for the statement that the United States sent upwards of 
seventy thousand tons of peanuts to foreign markets in 1899. 
Disappearance of the Fringed Gentian. — In 1898 I 
went through a swamp beside the railroad which was full of 
fringed gentians — there must have been several hundred plants at 
least. I picked one plant that had fifty blossoms, including buds 
and a few just going by. I only took three or four plants and am 
certain that very few if any others were picked, yet I have never 
been able to find a single plant there since. If anyone can give a 
reason for this I should like to know what it is. — JV alter M. 
Biiszcell. [The behavior of the fringed gentian has always been 
more or less of a puzzle to flower lovers. In the editor's locality 
it seems to appear and disappear at will. Doubtless the fact that 
the plant is a biennial and reproduced from seed every two years 
has some bearing on the question. — Ed.] 
